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Methylphenidate and if-then plans are comparable in modulating the P300 and increasing response inhibition in children with ADHD

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ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders

Abstract

A disturbed functioning of the prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, and an accordingly reduced P300 presumably underlies executive function deficits of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using a combined classification and Go/NoGo task paradigm, the present study investigated whether medication with methylphenidate (MPH) modulates the P300 as measured by a high-density electroencephalogram (EEG) and facilitates response inhibition in children with ADHD. Further, effects of MPH were compared with effects of self-regulation by if-then plans (Gollwitzer in Am Psychol 54: 493–503, 1999). MPH as well as if-then plans modulated the P300 and improved inhibition of an unwanted response on a Go/NoGo task to the same level observed in children without ADHD. Importantly, self-regulation strategies might be a valuable alternative to medication with MPH in children with ADHD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany

    I. Paul-Jordanov & M. Bechtold

  2. German Institute for International Educational Research (DIPF), Center for Individual Development and Adaptive Education of Children at Risk (IDeA), University of Frankfurt, IDeA-Center, Mertonstr. 17, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany

    C. Gawrilow

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  1. I. Paul-Jordanov
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  2. M. Bechtold
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  3. C. Gawrilow
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Correspondence to C. Gawrilow.

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Paul-Jordanov, I., Bechtold, M. & Gawrilow, C. Methylphenidate and if-then plans are comparable in modulating the P300 and increasing response inhibition in children with ADHD. ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord 2, 115–126 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-010-0028-9

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